A1 ~ Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disabilities: Why Problem Behaviour?

Patty Petersen has a 20 year career as a behaviour consultant at CPRI working predominantly with children who
have ASD and DD. Patty is completing her masters in Applied Disabilities Studies at Brock University with a
specialty in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).

Using the principles of behaviour management, this presentation will focus on:

1. Behaviour - what is this thing we all do?
2. How the impairments of ASD/DD diagnoses can contribute to problem behaviour.
3. The four aspects of problem behaviour to be identified in order to develop an effective behaviour plan.

A2 ~ Social Skills

Laura Winter has a background in behavioural science and social work. She has worked in the field of
developmental services since 1981. She has provided behaviour consultation to families, Community Living
agencies, school boards, community mental health agencies and individuals who have a developmental disability
and provided workshops and training opportunities for staff and managers throughout her career.

Social skills training in children and adults focuses on helping individuals develop social skills and practical
solutions to everyday social challenges. The research shows that individuals with social skill deficits benefit from
specific skills training to reduce anxiety in social situations. A ‘Structured Learning’ strategy contains four
components: a) verbal or pictoral explanation of skill steps, b) modelling, c) role playing with feedback, d) practice
assignments.

A3 ~ Behaviour and Communication

Chad Quanz is currently employed by Regional Support Associates as a community consultant. His job entails
supporting children and adults with Developmental Disabilities, families and their teams.

This workshop will be a fun, energetic and interactive presentation on the topic of behaviour as communication, with
the main focus being on dissecting behaviour and understanding the possibilities that behaviours may represent.
Chad will attempt to put a positive spin on behaviour and utilize creative ideas to “trade in” negative ways to
communicate with more appropriate, socially acceptable ones.

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Wed. April 28, 2010 ~ 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm

B1 ~ “Low Tech” Augmentative Supports for Communication Difficulties

Joan Gardiner is a speech-language pathologist who works with the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic at CPRI.
Joan has worked as a consultant around communication and social concerns for children and adolescents with
Autism Spectrum Disorder for over nine years.

During this presentation, Joan will review some reasons why augmentative communication supports might be
appropriate for individuals who are diagnosed with either ASD or Developmental Disability. Also, discussion will
include both what supports to consider for various purposes and issues to think about when implementing these
supports.

B2 ~ Social Learning Opportunities Offered Through the Realize Community Potential Program Autism Ontario

Marilyn Thompson is a program manager in Autism Ontario’s Realize Community Potential Program. Marilyn has
studied at Ryerson University, Mohawk College & Georgian College. She has worked 26 years in the social sector,
developmental services/residential services in community settings and as a behaviour resource consultant with a
local school board. She has worked with all age groups across Ontario specifically focusing on the needs of families
with Autism Spectrum Disorder developing and implementing social, recreational, and life skill programs for
individuals with ASD.

A key component of the Realize Community Potential Program is the delivery of a wide range of social learning opportunities to families with children with ASD across several communities in Ontario. This presentation will provide a detailed description of the social events and some of the successes and challenges of delivering these programs. The proven success of this program’s effectiveness is further supported by research.

B3 ~ High Risk Sexuality

Mary Ellen Marshman is clinic lead for the Sexual Behaviour Team and a member of the psychology discipline at
CPRI. Mary Ellen has worked with special needs children as a preschool teacher in Ontario and Alberta, as a
school psychologist and as a certified play therapist.

Adults are often concerned about sexual behaviour in children and youth with Developmental Disabilities. While
some of the behaviour exhibited by these youth is typical for age and developmental functioning, many behaviours
could be considered high risk or problematic. The Sexual Behaviour Team at CPRI offers assessment services for
youth who exhibit concerning sexual behaviour. This presentation will focus on our current understanding and
approach to the topic.

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Wed. April 28, 2010 ~ 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm

C1 ~ Healthy Sexuality

Andrea Higson, DSW. Andrea has worked for Community Living London for 6 years. During this time she has
worked in several different positions in a variety of accommodation settings. In 2009, Andrea began coordinating
the Social Sexual Awareness program where she received the Service of Excellence Award.

Andrea will speak about teaching social sexual awareness to youths and adults. The presentation will focus on a
variety of areas including appropriate and inappropriate behaviour both in public and private settings, as well as
healthy relationships (friendship and dating), nutrition, body awareness and hygiene. Andrea will explain how tools
such as videos, slides, pictures and hands-on objects are used in each class.

C2 ~ You Matter

Nancy Wardrop, MSW, RSW. Nancy is currently employed at London Health Sciences Centre, Mental Health
Program, specifically in traumatic stress service. She has over 20 years experience in mental health, and 10 years
experience in the area of physical rehabilitation. Specific areas of expertise and interest include working with
individuals suffering with depression and dealing with traumatic stress. Nancy also teaches on a part-time basis in
the faculty of social work at King’s University College, UWO.

This presentation offers suggestions for family members to build resiliency and take care of the self, as well as meet
the demands of caring for family members with different or specialized needs.

C3 ~ Toilet Training

Laura Pritchard, M.A. Laura is a behaviour specialist at Thames Valley Children’s Centre. She has been working
with children with special needs since 1988 in a variety of capacities. She has worked in daycare centers,
residential settings and most recently the Autism Intervention Program at TVCC. Laura completed her masters
degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis from the University of Nevada in 2006.

This presentation will include tips to introduce your child to successfully using the toilet, to encourage sitting on the
toilet and to increase output when sitting. Together the participants will explore signs of toilet use readiness, learn
about prompting and fading as well as strategies to introduce and or increase reinforcement. A focus of the
presentation will be to increase independence to the best of the child’s ability.

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Thurs. April 29, 2010 ~ 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

D1 ~ Family Coping and Community Services

Dale Tassi has been a social worker for more than 20 years. She has worked in the Autism Spectrum Disorders
Program at CPRI for the past 10 years. Dale assists families with accessing community resources, building coping
strategies, dealing with grief and embracing the child they have. Dale also facilitates sibling workshops.

Mindy Worrad is a social worker in the Home Visiting Program for Infants at CPRI. Prior to CPRI she worked with
families coping with a different kind of loss – cancer care for adults and palliative care. While taking a break from
her career, Mindy homeschooled her 4 children over several years.

After parents learn of their child’s special needs, they can feel overwhelmed. Presenters will share some things that
other families have found helpful, including information about community services, tips about taking care of
themselves, managing emotions, and coping strategies. This talk is suitable for all parents including those who have
known about their child’s special needs for a number of years. It also may be helpful for family members or
clinicians supporting parents of children with special needs.

D2 ~ Impact on Siblings

Dave Weaver has worked as a social worker with the Dual Diagnosis Program at CPRI for the past 10 years.
During this time he has co-facilitated sibling workshops for youth (6-18 years) who have a sibling with a
Developmental Disability.

Ida Marrisen has worked as a community behaviour consultant with the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic at CPRI
for 22 years. She has partnered with the program’s social workers to provide workshops for siblings (6 - 16 years) of
children who have a diagnosis of ASD.

This presentation will address issues pertaining to how children’s disabilities (including DD and/or ASD) can impact
the lives of siblings. Information provided will include details from past research as well as information gathered
directly from siblings who have attended sibling workshops at CPRI over the years. Issues such as coping strategies
and siblings’support needs will be included.

D3 ~ Perspective on Current Research - Autism Spectrum Disorder

Dr. Rob Nicolson is a psychiatrist in the Pervasive Developmental Disorders program, CPRI, in London, chair of
the Autism Centre of Excellence, Division of Developmental Disabilities at UWO and an associate professor in the
Department of Psychiatry at UWO. Dr. Nicolson completed medical school at UWO and did his residency in child
psychiatry in Toronto. He worked as a visiting scientist in the Child Psychiatry Branch of the National Institute of
Mental Health in the U.S. In addition to his clinical work, he is engaged in research investigating brain
abnormalities associated with Autism and treatments for children and adolescents with PDD.

Research in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders results in an ever growing body of literature. It can be a
challenge to know what information is most important and/or comes from well founded empirically-based studies.
This presentation will highlight some of the current research investigating the causes of ASD and the implications of
this research.

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Thurs. April 29, 2010 ~ 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm

E1 ~ Transitions Through School: Entry, Between Grades, to High School and Beyond

Charmaine Chadwick is an Autism Spectrum Disorder consultant for Thames Valley Children’s Centre &
Applied Behaviour Analysis Resource Support for Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board.
Brent Langan is a system resource support for Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board.
Susan Wiffen is an Autism Spectrum Disorder consultant for Thames Valley Children’s Centre.

This presentation will provide an overview of essential components necessary to ensure successful and meaningful
participation in school settings. Emphasis will be placed on identifying and utilizing key strategies and team
members for entry to school, grade to grade and activity to activity transitions.

E2 ~ Crisis and Crisis Management

John Connor is a planning facilitator for Community Living London. For 25 years, John has assisted people who
use services to become recognized and valued within their community. He is a certified instructor in non-violent
crisis intervention and has worked with numerous organizations in Ontario and the U.S. on such topics as “Building
Inclusive Communities”, “Behaviour as Communication” and “Creating a Vision.” John has assisted support
networks of people who are labeled with behavioural challenges to recognize how behaviour is a form of
communication.

This presentation will focus on strategies to explore behaviour as communication.

• “When my child acts out, what does it mean?”
• "Develop a proactive approach to crisis management"
• “What can I do to keep myself safe?”

E3 ~ Perspective on Current Research on Developmental Disabilities

Dr. Jay Rao is a specialist in developmental neuropsychiatry, trained at the National Institute of Mental Health and
Neurosciences, The Royal College of Psychiatrists (U.K.) and Canada. He did a fellowship in Sweden and
Denmark. He is an associate professor at UWO, heads the Dual Diagnosis Program in London, Central West
Region and consults for CPRI. Dr. Rao has taught internationally, published research in international journals and
is sought after as a clinician nationally and internationally. He is on numerous committees and currently is engaged
in various research projects. He has won national awards for his service and other awards for teaching.

This presentation will discuss developmental syndromes associated with earlier onset dementias; physical and
mental illnesses that can masquerade as dementia; assessment and evaluation of cognitive and functional skills and
specialized assessments; treatment implications and interventional strategies. The localization of symptoms to
specific brain regions and functions will be illustrated.

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Thurs. April 29, 2010 ~ 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm

F1 ~ Transitions: Highschool and Beyond

Maureen Tomchuck is a supervisor in Community Access Services with Community Living London. She supports
programming for children, youth and adults. Maureen supervises CLL’s Facilitating Youth Independence Program
for transitional aged youth graduating from high school. She currently sits on the Transition Planning Group and
Community Connections Committee.

Melissa Somerton is a developmental education resource teacher with Thames Valley District School Board. She is
involved in transition planning for secondary students with developmental challenges, at the classroom level,
through the Open Doors Initiative and through the Transition Planning Group.

This session will cover information around transition planning, issues, contacts and resources. We will discuss how
to assist young adults who will transition into community life after finishing high school. There will be an overview
of identifying skills, interests, goals and how to connect youth to community opportunities in innovative and
imaginative ways.

F2 ~ Behaviour and Sensory Challenges: How are They Connected?

Colleen Willoughby is an occupational therapist with over 20 years pediatric experience working with children with
a range of challenges and disabilities. Colleen frequently provides presentations and consultations to parents and
professionals in the areas of sensory processing and behaviour. She is published in a number of peer-reviewed
journals and currently works at Thames Valley Children’s Centre.

The presentation will provide an overview of current sensory processing theory. Emphasis will be placed on how
behaviours may be influenced by challenges processing sensory information. Strategies on how to cope with these
behaviours will be provided. Real life examples will be discussed. The presentation will be interactive with many
opportunities for the audience to ask questions and share ideas.

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Thurs. April 29, 2010 ~ 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm

G1 ~ The Parent School Relationship Project

Andrea Orsini is a parent mentor at Thames Valley Children’s Centre. In this role she uses her personal experience
as the parent of a child with special needs to work together with individual parents as they navigate the special
education system.

This presentation will look at how building positive relationships between parents and schools is essential to
effectively advocate for your children within the special education system.

G2 ~ Stress, Anxiety and Coping for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Marianne Simpson is a community consultant with Regional Support Associates. She has over thirty years of
experience in working with people with developmental disabilities including those who are on the autism spectrum.
Marianne has a bachelor of arts degree in Disability Studies and holds a Developmental Service Worker Diploma.

There are many reasons why people with Autism experience increased anxiety and stress. This workshop will look at
ways to identify stressors, and will review preventative measures, environmental considerations and the development
of individualized coping strategies. These strategies are intended to assist adults with Autism and their supporters to
improve quality of life at home and in the community.

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